my poor kitty, i need help!!!

Hello everyone,

New here....and I have a major problem!! ughh... I have a 4yr old cat, and lately I've noticed she's been loosing alot of hair.........under her belly, on her hind legs, and around her butt. She does spend most of her time cleaning this area, I've tried everything I can to get her to stop... but nothing works!!!

She even seems to have a weird odor coming from her ears....and always hates when people touches them.......so I'm thinking it might be due to an ear infection??

I'd like to take her in to see a vet, but she's NEVER been to one before....and I'm just going back to school, and already deep in debt.....so, I have no clue where I'd get the money to pay the bills if I did take her in, seeing as she'd probably have to get all her shots first....

I've never taken her before because parents think it's a waste of money...so they'd never tell me... but im moving into my own apartment in a week, so I want to take her in......but, im also worried because she'd never been to a vet in the 4yrs I've had her they might try take her away from me, or charge me....or something, ughhh....

She also has a major additude problem, hates everyone...never lets anyone touch her but me... been this way since a kitten....so, im scared because of her attitude problem it might get in the way of the vet trying to help her, or they might put her down....

ANY help or advice would be great..........thanks everyone!!

You really, really need to get your girl in to the vet. I realize times may be tough, but it sounds like your cat is sick and needs medical attention. You could try http://carecredit.com to see if that would help you pay for a vet.

Only real thing you can do is see a vet. We cannot really diagnose or tell you anything to help your girl out. You could get cat insurance. Or you can find a low cost clinic in your area. She really really needs to be spayed if she isn't already when you got her. It is extremely unhealthy if she is not done. She can get all sorts of cancers and a really bad disease if she goes her live intact.

The ears sound like ear mites or more probably an ear infection. Needs to be treated by a vet, not with OTC meds from teh pet store. Those are very dangerous. TNR1 might be able to help you find a low cost clinic to take her too, she is best at finding that stuff.

Well, at the end of the month I should have atleast $100 I can spare.....I'm in the process of moving to Thunder Bay, ON in a week...with my cat... and I want to take her to the vet!! I'm just worried the vet might try take her away from me since she's never been to the vet before....

I'd like to get her spayed as well, because I wouldnt be able to care for kittens...and I'd also like to get her microchipped....but, Im not sure if I can apply for insurence if she's never been to the vet before....and if the insurence would even be able to help with her first shots, meds, microchipping, and spay...

you really need to take her to the vets. they won't judge you if you are honest with them. they might even be willing to let you pay in instalments to help you care for her properly. there are also programs and clinics for people with money issues. contact your local animal shelter or vets and ask for info for them. it sounds like she might have mange, mites, fleas and maybe even an allergy to the food you feed her if it's not a good quality.

not to be rude but if you can't figure out a way to provide her with healthy food and keep her up to date with her shots and other health issues maybe you should find her a home that can give her the best life she could have. if you really love her i'm sure she would understand that you need to get your life in order. you can always get another kitten someday when you can afford to look after them and give them the best healthy life they deserve. i had to give up two of my cats that i raised as kittens and raised their mother when i moved out of my moms house. they were 13 yrs old. but it was the best thing for them and i wanted them to be loved and cared for the last of their days.

no offence taken...she's never been to a vet before because my parents just think it's stupid....so, they've never supported me......and living at home, the nearest vet is a 3-4hr drive from here.......but like i said, im moving to Thunder Bay in a week.....so Im taking her to the vet!!

I want her to be up to date in shots, get whatever help she needs, and to be spayed... she's my baby...so, I'll do whatever I have to for her...even if it means being poor for abit lol..

I'd like to purchase pet insurence...I think paying $20-$30 a month for it is pretty cheap....but I know taking her in the first time is going to cost me alot of $$$.......so, im just worried about where to get the cash from... if they do a payment plan, that would be amazing!!

Originally Posted by missysmum

Well, at the end of the month I should have atleast $100 I can spare.....I'm in the process of moving to Thunder Bay, ON in a week...with my cat... and I want to take her to the vet!! I'm just worried the vet might try take her away from me since she's never been to the vet before....

I'd like to get her spayed as well, because I wouldnt be able to care for kittens...and I'd also like to get her microchipped....but, Im not sure if I can apply for insurence if she's never been to the vet before....and if the insurence would even be able to help with her first shots, meds, microchipping, and spay...

Click to expand...

a $100 wont cover what you will need to have done unless you find somewhere that will offer financial help or let you pay over a period of time so you can have time to save. It sounds like you are going to be living from pay check to pay check for a while and that's really not fair on her. maybe all this is happening for a reason to help you give her a better life where she can be cared for. pet insurance will not cover flea treatment/prevention, worming, shots, microchipping or spay. they only cover illness that occures after 14 to 20 days of the cover you buy. you will still have to pay an excess of at least $80 when you get a health problem. it's not really ment for people that are living pay check to pay check. you might also find she has an illness that was pre exsisting which they won't cover.

i just went thru this with my cat that i adopted from someone like you actually(in the sense that she didn't take them to the vets). the woman was on a pension and had one cat of her own (who i don't think has ever had any shots) and she had two of her daughters cats because her daughter had three and thought that would be too much for her whilst she was pregnant. this woman kept Phoebe and her sister in a small bedroom all the time with no excersize or toys. she fed them whiskas wet food and some cheap grocery store brand dry kibble.

When we adopted Phoebe from her we took her to the vets immediatly and found that she hadn't had shots in 4 yrs nor any flea or worm treatment. Phoebe had ear mites, fleas, and had to have 5 teeth removed. after spending £700.00 on her in less than a year for all this to be taken care of, none was paid by the insurance. we then had her on a healthy diet for 2 years when we started to notice her ears twitching again. it wasn't mites this time, she also had the licking problem and dandruff. we got her an allergy test which was roughtly £450.00 and found out because of all the poor diet for many years she developed an allergy to most meats and grains. she's now on a prescription allergy diet that is very expensive. the allergy testing and the diet are the only thing the insurance has paid for. but they only paid us £250.00 back.

Please think about the welfare of your baby. she could be wined and dined by a new family that can afford to have her. Or you could keep her and worry about her until an illness strikes her down.

Well, yeah I will be leaving off of $1000 a month from student loans, but I can also find myself a job.... and if when I do take her to the vet, and it seems too over whelming, and expensive.....then I can turn to finding a good place for her to live.......that's just my last resort...

She's a princess, I already do pay alot for her food, and litter....since she is very picky.... and i guess if all comes to worse I can attempt to get another loan?? I'm willing to try everything I can!!

I cant imagine how it would be on either of us if we had to go our different ways, she HATES everyone...everytime people get near her she grawls, and hisses....unless she's in heat, then she loves everyone.....but, she loves me....always wants to cuddle with me, and play with me...and follows me everywhere....and when I leave for afew days, my family says all she does is makes really loud screams, and sit in my bedroom waiting for me.... so I cant just give her up without trying first...

If teenage mothers can make it raising children......I'm sure I can manage to raise my cat and to provide her with everything she needs

I sure can understand you wanting to keep your cat. If she is inside only and never let out. Then I would tell the vet that you have limited funds and want to take care of what he feels is the most pressing health issue at first. Shots could wait.But they will need to be given in the near future.The ears and hair loss need the most attention and checked for any worms. Then do what you can each month for her , shots and spaying.

A good vet will not attempt to judge you, but will help you do what it takes within your means to keep your precious kitty healthy.

Good luck. Keep posting here on how things are going!

Thanks,

I believe there is only 4 clinics/hospitals in the area I'm moving to.......So I shall can and explain my situation to them, and make an apointment with which ever seems to be of most help to me!

I shall keep everyone posted on what happens...

I feel so bad for you; I know how it is when your kitty has to got to the vet & money is tight. It sounds to me as if you're willing to do whatever it takes to get your girl healthy & keep her with you, and for that I applaude you. I agree with the others that her ears & the hair loss must be taken care of ASAP. I doubt that a vet would want to start her shots until she's healthy. Once you establish a relationship with a vet, they will be more willing to work on a payment plan for you. Don't worry about a vet taking your kitty away from you, or filing charges against you. That would only happen in a case of clear abuse or neglect, and it sounds as if you're doing the best you can with limited resources & no support from your parents.
Good luck with your baby.

Ocicat Steph, why did your insurance prove to be so utterly useless? I'm running into similar problems here with VPI; they delay claims for months and send nothing but junk mail about the supposed delights of their service. I've managed to control my cat's shedding and breathing problems with diet but it wasn't recompensed by the policy even though it's all in writing that everything is covered!

A cat who's pulling out hair is almost certainly allergic to something, and it could be the food. Rabbit is closest to their natural prey so I'd switch the cat to this food (eliminating all treats) and see if the condition improves. It did in Gizmo's case.

I contacted one of the clinics in the area I'm moving to......we havn't set up an apointment yet.... but she told me that they deal with this site for loans and such.......so, I hope I get approved!!!....

http://www.medicard.com/

Got my fingers crossed that you get approved. Whether you do or not, tho, you seriously need to get your girl to the vet. You can't just call and talk about makiing an appointment, you need to get it done. Hope the problems aren't too serious.

Good luck with your kitty. I'm glad you've made your appointment but I sure hope you take kitty in sooner than later.

As the other poster above said, tell the vet you have limited funds as a student and that you'll hold off on any non-critical treatment for the time being and just want this issue cared for.

Originally Posted by gizmocat

Ocicat Steph, why did your insurance prove to be so utterly useless? I'm running into similar problems here with VPI; they delay claims for months and send nothing but junk mail about the supposed delights of their service. I've managed to control my cat's shedding and breathing problems with diet but it wasn't recompensed by the policy even though it's all in writing that everything is covered!

A cat who's pulling out hair is almost certainly allergic to something, and it could be the food. Rabbit is closest to their natural prey so I'd switch the cat to this food (eliminating all treats) and see if the condition improves. It did in Gizmo's case.

Click to expand...

i can't imagine how the american insurance companies are but the ones here in england are annoying!! i work at a vets so i got things thru a little quicker than normal but still we have to deal with them all the time chasing them for clients.

couldn't resort to the rabbit thing with my little one she's allergic to rabbit as well! she seems to be ok with royal canin allergy and james wellbeloved turkey and rice. *crosses fingers*